Nanozymes for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

AbstractNeurodegenerative diseases are incurable diseases that get worse as time passes. These diseases are very heterogeneous in nature but have common characteristics like abnormal deposition of protein, glycation, inflammation in particular areas of the brain, and progressive neuronal loss due to oxidative stress. Among these, oxidative stress alone causes a high level of degeneration of neurons. To reduce oxidative stress, natural antioxidants are used but they have some drawbacks like instability, high cost and low reusability. To overcome this, nanozymes are introduced and we have emphasized on major nanozymes whose antioxidant capability has been proven which are gold nanozymes, fullerene, nanoceria, and quantum dots. Gold nanoparticles and their conjugates with other molecules can mimic the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase which decrease the amount of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals in cells. Gold Nanozyme treatment reduces the oxidative stress, nitrite, and sulfhydryl levels in the brain and also rectifies the superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase activity levels. Fullerenols has shown superoxide dismutase activity which was 268 times more effective than mannitol and 37 times more effective than Vitamin E for lipid radicals. Nanoceria has the ability to mimic Superoxide Dismutase as well as catalase activity, can also detoxify peroxynitrite. Quantum dots (QDs) like Graphene Oxide QDs can scavenge the reactive oxygen species and also show indirect activity which alleviates the pathogenesis of the disease. Thus, a nanozyme can be used as an efficient nanomedicine if it is tailored to possess high catalytic activity while eliminating all complications.